Science mooted against disease and poverty

Africa will not meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on a number of levels without the proper science or experts in place, according to South Africa's Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena.

"We need to be a nation of scientists not only because we are competing with other nations, but so that we can fight the epidemics of poverty and infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis," Mangena told reporters in Johannesburg on Monday.

He reminded the youth not to be only consumers of new technology, but its creators as well, if the continent is to match up to the standards of developed countries.

Among the eight MDGs, which must be fulfilled by 2015, were the eradication of extreme poverty by half; the achievement of universal primary education; the promotion of gender equality; and reversal of the spread of AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.